Door lock system

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 11/092,875 filed Mar. 30, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,571. The entire disclosure(s) of the prior application(s), application Ser. No. 11/092,875 is considered part of the disclosure of the accompanying divisional application and is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door lock system for vehicles and has a lock mechanism housed in a housing and switches the lock mechanism between an unlocked state and a locked state by a driving force from the outside of this housing.

2) Description of the Related Art

In cars, a door lock system is generally provided between an outside handle and an inside handle provided in a door and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism has a latch and a ratchet. When the door is closed, the latch mechanism engages with a striker on the vehicle main body side via the latch and the ratchet maintains the engagement between the latch and the striker to maintain the closed state of the door to the vehicle main body. The door lock system has a lock mechanism that is switched between an unlocked state and a locked state due to operation with a key of a key cylinder provided on the outdoor side of the door or operations on an inside lock button provided on the indoor side of the door. The lock mechanism and the key cylinder are linked to each other and the lock mechanism and the inside lock button are linked to each other by link units such as links or wires.

When the lock mechanism is unlocked, this door lock system enables and transmits a door opening operation of the outside handle or the inside handle to the ratchet, and when the ratchet engages with the latch, the lock mechanism releases the engagement of the ratchet with the latch. As a result, the engaged state between the latch and the striker is also released, and it becomes possible to open the door. On the other hand, the door lock system disables at least a door opening operation of the outside handle and does not transmit it to the ratchet when the lock mechanism is locked. As a result, the latch and the striker are maintained in their engaged state even when the outside handle is operated, and it becomes possible to lock the vehicle.

Conventionally, a door lock system is known that houses a latch mechanism in a first housing (latch mechanism housing) and has a lock mechanism housed in a second housing (lock mechanism housing) and assembles the first housing and the second housing to the door while they are assembled and integrated. On the upper portion of this conventional door lock system, a key lever which the front end of a rod projecting from the key cylinder fits in a torque transmittable manner is arranged. The conventional door lock system has seizing units in both housings, in which a guide projection is provided on either one of the housings, a guide groove that fits the guide projection is provided in the other housing, and the guide projection and the guide groove engages with each other to prevent coming out (for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2002-129811).

On the other hand, a door lock system is known that has a courtesy switch that comes into abrasive contact with a cam surface formed on the outer circumferential surface of the latch and outputs a signal when the latch is opened or switched from a half-latching state to a full-latching state (for example, Japanese Published Examined Patent Application No. S61-49471). According to this door lock system, when the latch is opened or switched from a half-latching state to a full-latching state, the door is judged as closed and an indoor lamp provided inside the vehicle is turned off, and when the latch is opened or half-latched, the door is judged as half-shut or opened and the indoor lamp provided inside the vehicle is turned on.

However, with conventional door lock systems, the key lever is disposed on the upper side, so that rain water or the like adhering to the key cylinder or a window glass of the door reaches the key lever through the rod and enters into the door lock system. The rain water reaches the mechanisms of the door lock system positioned lower than the key lever and causes the mechanisms to malfunction.

In the conventional door lock system, the guide groove is a member that the guide projection fits in a slidable manner. Moreover, the seizing unit is formed by providing a seizing shaft in the second housing and a seizing groove that fits the seizing shaft in the first housing. The seizing groove includes an engaging hole that fits the seizing shaft and a narrowed portion having a width slightly smaller than the diameter of the seizing shaft. Namely, the guide projection is slid and fit to the guide groove and the seizing groove is fit to the seizing shaft in the diameter direction, whereby the first housing and the second housing are integrated so as not to come out of each other. However, when the seizing groove is fitted to the seizing shaft, it is required that the narrowed portion of the seizing groove is strongly pushed so as to pass over the diameter of the seizing shaft to fit the engaging hole to the seizing shaft. As a result, the assembly for integrating the first housing and the second housing requires a strong force, and this leads to low efficiency in assembly.

Moreover, in the door lock system that is attached to a door while the latch mechanism housing which houses a latch mechanism and the lock mechanism housing which houses a lock mechanism are assembled and integrated, a signal cable connected to a courtesy switch must be wired outside the door lock system from the inside of the latch mechanism housing, so that signal cable wiring is difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least solve the problems in the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a door lock system includes a housing that houses a lock mechanism that can be switched between any one of an unlocked state and a locked state; a handle capable of moving between an open position and a close position, wherein the handle is connected to the lock mechanism via an input mechanism to transmit movement of the handle to the lock mechanism, wherein when the handle is in the open position the lock mechanism is switched through the input mechanism to the unlocked state and when the handle is in the close position the lock mechanism is switched through the input mechanism to the locked state. The input mechanism is arranged at a lower position in the housing.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a door lock system is formed by assembling a latch mechanism housing that houses a latch mechanism that maintains a closed state of a door to a main body of a vehicle and enables the door to be opened with respect to the main body in response to an operation on a handle, and a lock mechanism housing that houses a lock mechanism that switches to an unlocked state when a door opening operation is performed on the handle and that switches to a locked state when a door closing operation is performed on the handle. The door lock system includes a positioning unit that includes a shaft provided and extended in one of the two housings and a concave portion in which the shaft is inserted and fitted along the extending direction of the shaft, provided in other one of the two housings, and fits the positions of the latch mechanism and the lock mechanism by inserting and fitting the shaft into the concave portion; and a restricting unit that restricts relative movements of the latch mechanism housing and the lock mechanism housing in directions other than the extending direction of the shaft when the shaft is inserted and fitted into the concave portion.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a door lock system for attaching to a door of a vehicle includes a latch mechanism housing that houses a latch mechanism that maintains a closed state of the door to a main body of the vehicle and enables the door to be opened with respect to the main body in response to an operation on a handle, and a lock mechanism housing that houses a lock mechanism that switches to an unlocked state when a door opening operation is performed on the handle and that switches to a locked state when a door closing operation is performed on the handle. A signal cable that is connected to a courtesy switch and comes into abrasive contact with a cam surface formed on a latch to detect the latch position is extended from the inside of the latch mechanism housing and nipped and held between the latch mechanism housing and the lock mechanism housing.

The other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are specifically set forth in or will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is a view of a door lock system from the back side of a vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a view of the door lock system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> from the outdoor side;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a view of the door lock system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> from the indoor side;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a view of the door lock system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> from the indoor side after removing a sub case;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref> is a schematic of a latch mechanism in an opening state, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> is a schematic of the latch mechanism in a half-latching state, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5C</figref> is a schematic of the latch mechanism in a full-latching state;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> is a schematic of the relationship between an open lever and a link lever in an initial state, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> is a schematic of the relationship between the open lever and the link lever when the outside handle is operated to open the door;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref> is a schematic of the relationship between an inner handle lever and the link lever in an initial state, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref> is a schematic of the relationship between the inner handle lever and the link lever when an inside handle lever is operated to open the door;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism when the door is unlocked by a key operation, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism when the door is locked by a key operation;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism when a lock lever is in an unlocking state, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism when the lock lever is in a locking state;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism in an unlocked state by driving a drive motor, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> is a schematic showing the lock mechanism in a locked state by driving the drive motor;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11A</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism in a locked state before an inside handle is operated, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref> is a schematic of the lock mechanism in an unlocked state by operating the inside handle to open the door;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12A</figref> is a perspective view of a key lever and a bearing socket, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref> is a cross-sectional view of an operation to engage an input shaft and an output shaft, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12C</figref> is a cross-sectional view of an operation to engage the input shaft and the output shaft, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12D</figref> is a cross-sectional view of an operation to engage the input shaft and the output shaft, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12E</figref> is a cross-sectional view of an operation to engage the input shaft and the output shaft;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> is a perspective view from the indoor side of the door of a door lock system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> is a perspective view from the outdoor side of the door of the door lock system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is an exploded perspective view of the door lock system shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> disassembled into a lock mechanism housing and a latch mechanism housing; and

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> is a view of a latch mechanism housing from the front side of the door.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained below with respect to accompanying drawings.

A door lock system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. The door lock system is provided between an outside handle <b>1</b> and a latch mechanism <b>20</b> in a side door (in the case of a vehicle with a right-hand steering wheel, the door D nearest to the driver's seat) of the front hinge arranged on the front seat right side of the vehicle, and has a main case <b>2</b> and a sub case <b>3</b>. The main case <b>2</b> and the sub case <b>3</b> are formed from, for example, a synthetic resin, and these are joined to each other and fastened by a fastening unit <b>4</b> such as screws to form a housing <b>10</b>.

The housing <b>10</b> formed by the main case <b>2</b> and the sub case <b>3</b> includes a latch mechanism housing <b>11</b> extended along the indoor and outdoor directions of the door D and a lock mechanism housing <b>12</b> extended along the front and rear direction of the door D from the indoor side end of the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b>, and is roughly shaped into an L when viewed from above. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, in the section from the vehicle front side to the vehicle rear side through the vehicle upper side on the joined surface between the main case <b>2</b> and the sub case <b>3</b>, a packing member <b>7</b> is interposed to maintain desired watertightness.

The latch mechanism housing <b>11</b> has a horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> extending horizontally from the indoor side toward the outdoor side at almost the center position in the height direction, and houses the latch mechanism <b>20</b> inside.

The latch mechanism <b>20</b> is for engaging with and retaining a striker S provided on the vehicle main body side of the vehicle like a conventional one, and includes a latch <b>21</b> and a ratchet <b>22</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref>.

The latch <b>21</b> is rotatably arranged higher than the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> in the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b> via a latch shaft <b>23</b> extending almost horizontally along the front and rear direction of the vehicle main body. The latch <b>21</b> has an engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a</i>, a hook <b>21</b><i>b</i>, and a seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c. </i>

The engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>of the latch <b>21</b> is opened from the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>21</b> toward the latch shaft <b>23</b>. The engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>is formed into a width that houses the striker S.

The hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> is positioned on the more indoor side than the engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>when the engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>is opened downward. The hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>stops at a position (opening position) at which the latch <b>21</b> opens the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> when it is rotated clockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>. On the other hand, when the latch <b>21</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b>, the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>stops at a position across the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5C</figref> (latching position) or stops at a position across the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref> (half-latching position).

The seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>21</b> is positioned on the more indoor side than the engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>when the engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>is opened downward. When the latch <b>21</b> is rotated clockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b>, the seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c </i>stops across the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> while inclining gradually upward to the deep side (outdoor side) of the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>. Between the latch <b>21</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b>, a latch spring (not shown) is provided that always presses the latch <b>21</b> clockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b>.

The ratchet <b>22</b> is rotatably arranged lower than the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> of the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b> and more indoors than the latch shaft via a ratchet shaft <b>24</b> extending roughly horizontally in the front and rear direction of the vehicle main body. The ratchet <b>22</b> has an engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>and an acting portion <b>22</b><i>b. </i>

The engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> extends away from the center of the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> toward the outdoor side. When the ratchet <b>22</b> rotates counterclockwise as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5B</figref>, the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>is capable of engaging with the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>and the seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>21</b> via the projecting end face. The acting portion <b>22</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> extends away from the center of the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> toward the indoor side.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, the ratchet <b>22</b> has a ratchet lever <b>25</b>. The ratchet lever <b>25</b> rotates around the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> integrally with the ratchet <b>22</b> at a position on the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever <b>25</b> has a contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>formed so as to extend in the same direction as that of the acting portion <b>22</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> from the ratchet shaft <b>24</b>, bend to the vehicle front side (lock mechanism housing <b>12</b> side), and bend at its lower region to the vehicle indoor side, and a working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>formed so as to extend upward of the vehicle front side from the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>and bend to the vehicle indoor side. This ratchet lever <b>25</b> is joined to the ratchet <b>22</b> by a joint pin <b>26</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>. Between the ratchet <b>22</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b>, a ratchet spring (not shown) is provided that always presses the ratchet <b>22</b> counterclockwise around the ratchet shaft <b>24</b>.

In the latch mechanism <b>20</b>, a courtesy switch <b>27</b> that detects the position of the latch <b>21</b> is arranged above the latch <b>21</b>. The armature of the courtesy switch <b>27</b> detects that the latch <b>21</b> is at a latching position by coming into abrasive contact with the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>21</b> and separating from the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>21</b>, and turns an indoor lamp (not shown) of the vehicle on when the latch <b>21</b> is at a position (for example, an opening position or a half-latching position) outside of the latching position.

In the latch mechanism <b>20</b>, when the door D is opened from the vehicle main body, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, the latch <b>21</b> is arranged at an opening position, and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned on. When the door D is operated to close from this state, the striker S provided on the vehicle main body side enters the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> of the latch mechanism housing <b>11</b> and the striker S eventually comes into contact with the seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>21</b>. As a result, the latch <b>21</b> rotates counterclockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against an elastic force of a latch spring (not shown). During this rotation, the projecting end of the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> comes into abrasive contact with the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>21</b> due to an elastic force of a ratchet spring (not shown), and the ratchet rotates around the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> according to the outer circumferential form of the latch <b>21</b>.

When the door D is operated to close from the state described above, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref>, the entering amount of the striker S to the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> gradually increases, so that the latch <b>21</b> further rotates counterclockwise, and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> reaches the engaging groove <b>21</b><i>a </i>of the latch <b>21</b>. In this state, the seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>21</b> comes into contact with the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b>, so that the clockwise rotation of the latch <b>21</b> is blocked against the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). In addition, since the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> is arranged across the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b>, the situation that the striker S comes out of the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b>, that is, the opening operation of the door D from the vehicle main body is prevented by the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>(half-latching state).

When the door D is operated further to close from the half-latching state, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5C</figref>, due to the striker S entering the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b>, the latch <b>21</b> rotates further counterclockwise around the latch shaft <b>23</b> via the seizing portion <b>21</b><i>c</i>, and the striker S reaches the deep side (outdoor side) of the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b>. During this time, the ratchet <b>22</b> rotates clockwise around the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown) by contact of the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> to the upper surface of the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a</i>, and immediately after the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> passes over, the ratchet starts rotating counterclockwise due to the elastic returning force of the ratchet spring (not shown). As a result, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5C</figref>, since the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> comes into contact with the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b>, the clockwise rotation of the latch <b>21</b> is blocked against the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). In this state, since the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> is arranged across the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b>, the situation that the striker S comes out of the deep side (outdoor side) of the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> is prevented by the hook <b>21</b><i>b</i>, and as a result, the door D is maintained in a closed state from the vehicle main body (full-latching state), and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned off.

When the acting portion <b>22</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> or the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> is rotated clockwise around the ratchet shaft <b>24</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown) from the full-latching state, the contact engagement between the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> is released and the latch <b>21</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref> due to the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). As a result, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> is opened, the striker S becomes movable in the direction of coming out of the horizontally notched groove <b>13</b> and the door D becomes capable of being opened from the vehicle main body, and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned on.

On the other hand, the lock mechanism housing <b>12</b> houses, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, an open lever <b>30</b>, a link lever <b>40</b>, an inner handle lever <b>50</b>, and a lock mechanism <b>600</b>.

The open lever <b>30</b> is rotatably arranged via an open lever shaft <b>31</b> extending almost horizontally along the front and rear direction of the vehicle main body at a position lower than the ratchet <b>22</b> of the latch mechanism <b>20</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref>, and has an open acting end <b>30</b><i>a</i>, an open working end <b>30</b><i>b</i>, and a pressure receiver <b>30</b><i>c. </i>

The open acting end <b>30</b><i>a </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> extends away from the center of the open lever shaft <b>31</b> and toward the outdoor side and outside of the housing <b>10</b>. An outside handle link unit <b>32</b>, such as a link that links to the outside handle <b>1</b> provided on the door D, is connected to the portion of the open acting end <b>30</b><i>a </i>that projects outside of the housing <b>10</b>. The outside handle link unit <b>32</b> is connected in such a manner that the open lever <b>30</b> rotates counterclockwise around the open lever shaft <b>31</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref> when the outside handle <b>1</b> is operated to open the door.

The open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> extends away from the center of the open lever shaft <b>31</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A and 6B</figref>, and the extending end is positioned below the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>on the ratchet lever <b>25</b> inside the housing <b>10</b>.

The pressure receiver <b>30</b><i>c </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> is positioned below the open working end <b>30</b><i>b</i>, and is bent forward from the lower edge of the open lever <b>30</b>. Between the open lever <b>30</b> and the lock mechanism housing <b>12</b>, an open lever spring <b>33</b> is provided that always presses the open lever <b>30</b> clockwise around the open lever shaft <b>31</b>.

To the open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>of the open lever <b>30</b>, a link lever <b>40</b> is attached. The link lever <b>40</b> has an attaching hole <b>40</b><i>a </i>on its base end as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 6A</figref>, <b>6</b>B, <b>7</b>A, and <b>7</b>B. This attaching hole <b>40</b><i>a </i>is formed in a rotor <b>40</b><i>aa </i>provided so as to rotate around the center of the axis along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body with respect to the link lever <b>40</b>. By inserting the open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> through the attaching hole <b>40</b><i>a</i>, the link lever <b>40</b> is supported so as to move up and down with this open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>and swing around the center of axis along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body via the rotor <b>40</b><i>aa </i>with respect to the open working end <b>30</b><i>b</i>. This link lever <b>40</b> has a ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b</i>, a panic lever joint <b>40</b><i>c</i>, and a lock preventer <b>40</b><i>d. </i>

The ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> extends away from the center of the attaching hole <b>40</b><i>a </i>and toward the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b>. The ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>is provided so as to press the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> in response to upward movement of the link lever <b>40</b>.

The panic lever joint <b>40</b><i>c </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> extends upward lateral to the side of the working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> from the center of axis of the attaching hole <b>40</b><i>a</i>. In the extending portion of the panic lever joint <b>40</b><i>c</i>, a joint slot <b>40</b><i>e </i>long in the vertical direction is formed.

The lock preventer <b>40</b><i>d </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> is adjacent to the working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> and prevents the link lever <b>40</b> from swinging when the latch <b>21</b> is at an opening position. The lock preventer <b>40</b><i>d </i>extends downward to the vehicle rear side from the side of the panic lever joint <b>40</b><i>c. </i>

The inner handle lever <b>50</b> is arranged so as to swing via an inner lever shaft <b>51</b> extending almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body below the open lever <b>30</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A and 7B</figref>. The inner handle lever <b>50</b> has an inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a </i>and a working end <b>50</b><i>b. </i>

The inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a </i>of the inner handle lever <b>50</b> extends upward from the inner lever shaft <b>51</b>, and the extending end projects outward of the housing <b>10</b>. The portion of the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a </i>projecting outward of the housing <b>10</b> is connected to an inside handle link unit <b>52</b> such as a link or a wire that links to an inside handle <b>5</b> provided on the indoor side of the door D. In detail, the inside handle link unit <b>52</b> is connected so that the inner handle lever <b>50</b> swings counterclockwise around the inner lever shaft <b>51</b> when the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door.

In the middle of extension of the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a</i>, a one-motion lever joint hole <b>50</b><i>c </i>is formed. In this one-motion lever joint hole <b>50</b><i>c</i>, a one-motion lever <b>53</b> is attached. The one-motion lever <b>53</b> is formed so as to extend in an arc shape to the front side of the vehicle from the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a </i>centered on the inner lever shaft <b>51</b>. At the base end of the one-motion lever <b>53</b>, a shaft <b>53</b><i>a </i>and a contact portion <b>53</b><i>b </i>are formed. The shaft <b>53</b><i>a </i>is rotatably attached to the one-motion lever link hole <b>50</b><i>c </i>of the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a</i>. The contact portion <b>53</b><i>b </i>comes into contact with the side surface of the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a</i>. Between the one-motion lever <b>53</b> and the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a</i>, a one-motion spring <b>54</b> interposes so that the contact portion <b>53</b><i>b </i>of the one-motion lever <b>53</b> comes into contact with the side surface of the inner acting portion <b>50</b><i>a. </i>

The working end <b>50</b><i>b </i>of the inner handle lever <b>50</b> extends while inclining downward to the vehicle rear side from the inner lever shaft <b>51</b>. To the working end <b>50</b><i>b</i>, a one-motion link <b>56</b> is attached via a rivet <b>55</b> so as to move upward. On the working end <b>50</b><i>b</i>, a presser <b>50</b><i>d </i>that comes into contact with the pressure receiver <b>30</b><i>c </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> and presses this upward when the inner handle lever <b>50</b> swings counterclockwise around the inner lever shaft <b>51</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref> is formed by being bent to the outdoor side of the vehicle.

The one-motion link <b>56</b> comes into contact with the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> and presses this upward when the inner handle lever <b>50</b> swings counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A and 7B</figref> around the inner lever shaft <b>51</b>. The one-motion link <b>56</b> has a roughly L shape, and extends toward the vehicle rear side and away from the center of the rivet <b>55</b> and extends toward (upward) the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b>.

At the base end of the one-motion link <b>56</b>, a link hole (not shown) long in the front and rear direction of the vehicle is formed, and is engaged with the rivet <b>55</b> by having play so as to swing. In the sub case <b>3</b>, along the portion of the one-motion link <b>56</b> along the portion extending toward the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a</i>, as shown by the chain double-dashed line in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 7A and 7B</figref>, guides <b>301</b> that guide the portion of the one-motion link <b>56</b> extending toward the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>so as to move vertically are formed.

The lock mechanism <b>600</b> switches between an unlocked state in that the lock mechanism transmits the rotation of the open lever <b>30</b> in response to a door opening operation on the outside handle <b>1</b> to the latch mechanism <b>20</b> and a locked state in that the lock mechanism does not transmit the rotation of the open lever <b>30</b> in response to a door opening operation on the outside handle <b>1</b> to the latch mechanism <b>20</b>. The lock mechanism <b>600</b> has, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a key lever <b>610</b>, a key sub lever <b>620</b>, a connect lever <b>630</b>, a sector gear <b>650</b>, a panic lever <b>660</b>, and a worm wheel <b>670</b> on the surface of the main case <b>2</b> opposite the sub case <b>3</b>, that is, the surface of the main case <b>2</b> covered by the sub case <b>3</b>.

The key lever <b>610</b> is rotatably arranged at the lower side of the housing <b>10</b>. The key lever <b>610</b> has an input shaft <b>611</b>, a rotating concave portion <b>612</b>, and a lever portion <b>613</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>.

The input shaft <b>611</b> of the key lever <b>610</b> serves as an input unit that inputs a rotating drive force when the key cylinder KC provided in the door D is key-operated. To the input shaft <b>611</b>, a key cylinder link unit <b>615</b> (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>) such as a link or cable that transmits a rotating drive force of the key cylinder KC according to a key operation is connected. In detail, the key cylinder link unit <b>615</b> is connected to the input shaft <b>611</b> so that when the key cylinder KC is operated to lock the door, the key lever <b>610</b> rotates counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>, and when the key cylinder KC is operated to unlock the door, the key lever <b>610</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>.

The rotating concave portion <b>612</b> of the key lever <b>610</b> is formed by being concaved on the input shaft <b>611</b>. The rotating concave portion <b>612</b> supports the key lever <b>610</b> in a rotatable manner by fitting a convex portion <b>302</b> formed on the sub case <b>3</b>.

The lever portion <b>613</b> of the key lever <b>610</b> extends away from the center of the input shaft <b>611</b>. A key link joint hole <b>614</b> is formed on the end of the lever portion <b>613</b> that is away from the center of the input shaft <b>611</b>.

The key sub lever <b>620</b> is rotatably arranged at the vehicle front side above the key lever <b>610</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>. The key sub lever <b>620</b> has a rotation hole <b>621</b>, a key link joint <b>622</b>, a lock switching projection <b>623</b>, an unlock switching projection <b>624</b>, a lock operation recognition projection <b>625</b>, and an unlock operation recognition projection <b>626</b>.

Through the rotation hole <b>621</b> of the key sub lever <b>620</b>, a convex portion <b>201</b> formed and extended inside the housing <b>10</b> (the indoor side of the vehicle main body) in the main case <b>2</b> is inserted. Thereby, the rotation hole <b>621</b> is arranged so that the key sub lever <b>620</b> rotates around the convex portion <b>201</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref>.

The key link joint <b>622</b> of the key sub lever <b>620</b> extends away from the center of the axis of the rotation hole <b>621</b> (convex portion <b>201</b>). In the front end of the key link joint <b>622</b>, a key link joint hole <b>622</b><i>a </i>(see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9A and 9B</figref>) is formed. This key link joint hole <b>622</b><i>a </i>and the key link joint hole <b>614</b> of the key lever <b>610</b> are joined to each other by the key link <b>627</b>. Namely, the rotation of the key lever <b>610</b> is transmittable to the key sub lever <b>620</b> through the key link <b>627</b>.

The lock switching projection <b>623</b> and the unlock switching projection <b>624</b> of the key sub lever <b>620</b> are formed so as to extend away from the center of the axis of the rotation hole <b>621</b>. When rotating the key sub lever <b>620</b>, the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is switched from an unlocked state to a locked state by the lock switching projection <b>623</b>. On the other hand, when rotating the key sub lever <b>620</b>, the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is switched from a locked state to an unlocked state by the unlock switching projection <b>624</b>.

The lock operation recognition projection <b>625</b> and the unlock operation recognition projection <b>626</b> of the key sub lever <b>620</b> extend away from the center of axis of the rotation hole <b>621</b>. When the key sub lever <b>620</b> is switched from an unlocking state to a locking state, the lock operation recognition projection <b>625</b> turns down the detection piece <b>628</b><i>a </i>of the switch <b>628</b> clockwise. On the other hand, when the key sub lever <b>620</b> is switched from a locking state to an unlocking state, the unlock operation recognition projection <b>626</b> turns down the detection piece <b>628</b><i>a </i>of the switch <b>628</b> counterclockwise. Thus, the lock operation recognition projection <b>625</b> and the unlock operation recognition projection <b>626</b> operate the detection piece <b>628</b><i>a </i>of the switch <b>628</b> to distinguish a key operation on the key cylinder KC, that is, a lock operation, and an unlock operation.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>, the connect lever <b>630</b> is rotatably attached concentrically with the rotation hole <b>621</b> of the key sub lever <b>620</b>. The connect lever <b>630</b> includes a switching projection <b>631</b>, a sector gear joint <b>632</b>, a switch lever <b>633</b>, a one-motion projection <b>634</b>, and a rotation shaft <b>635</b>.

The switching projection <b>631</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> switches the connect lever <b>630</b> from an unlocking state to a locking state and from a locking state to an unlocking state. The switching projection <b>631</b> is formed on the surface opposite the key sub lever <b>620</b>. In detail, the switching projection <b>631</b> can come into contact with the lock switching projection <b>623</b> and the unlock switching projection <b>624</b>. When the switching projection <b>631</b> comes into contact with the lock switching projection <b>623</b> and presses the switching projection <b>631</b>, the connect lever <b>630</b> switches from an unlocking state to a locking state. On the other hand, when the switching projection <b>631</b> comes into contact with the unlock switching projection <b>624</b> and presses the switching projection <b>631</b>, the connect lever <b>630</b> switches from a locking state to an unlocking state.

The sector gear joint <b>632</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> extends away from the center of rotation of the connect lever <b>630</b>. The sector gear joint <b>632</b> has a joint convex portion <b>636</b> on the extending front end. The joint convex portion <b>636</b> extends almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body from the surface positioned on the outdoor side at the front end of the sector gear joint <b>632</b>.

The switch lever <b>633</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> is for detecting the position of the connect lever <b>630</b>. The switch lever <b>633</b> turns a switch <b>637</b> off when the connect lever <b>630</b> is in an unlocking state (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>). On the other hand, the switch lever <b>633</b> turns the switch <b>637</b> on when the connect lever <b>630</b> switches to a locking state (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>).

The one-motion projection <b>634</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> comes into contact with the one-motion lever <b>53</b> to switch the lock mechanism <b>600</b> in a locked state to an unlocked state. The one-motion projection <b>634</b> that extends away from the center of rotation of the connect lever <b>630</b> so that the one-motion projection is positioned so as to come into contact with the one-motion lever <b>53</b> when the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is in a locked state, and positioned so as not to be in contact with the one-motion lever <b>53</b> when the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is in an unlocked state.

The rotation shaft <b>635</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> supports the connect lever <b>630</b> rotatably with respect to the sub case <b>3</b>. The rotation shaft <b>635</b> extends integrally from the connect lever <b>630</b>, and the end thereof penetrates the sub case <b>3</b> and projects from the housing <b>10</b>. This rotation shaft <b>635</b> is located in the housing <b>10</b> below the electrical parts such as the switch <b>628</b>, the switch <b>637</b>, and a drive motor <b>673</b> described later provided inside the housing <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>.

A lock lever <b>640</b> is fixed to the projecting end of the rotation shaft <b>635</b>. The lock lever <b>640</b> rotates integrally with the connect lever <b>630</b>. Namely, when the connect lever <b>630</b> changes from a locking state to an unlocking state, the lock lever <b>640</b> changes from a locking state to an unlocking state, and when the connect lever <b>630</b> changes from an unlocking state to a locking state, the lock lever <b>640</b> changes from an unlocking state to a locking state. On the other hand, when the lock lever <b>640</b> changes from an unlocking state to a locking state, the connect lever <b>630</b> changes from an unlocking state to a locking state, and when the lock lever <b>640</b> changes from an locking state to a unlocking state, the connect lever <b>630</b> changes from a locking state to an unlocking state.

The lock lever <b>640</b> has a button joint <b>641</b>. The button joint <b>641</b> is the front end portion of the lock lever <b>640</b> extending away from the rotation shaft <b>635</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b>. To this button joint <b>641</b>, a lock button link unit <b>642</b> such as a link or wire that links to an inside lock button <b>6</b> provided on the indoor side of the door D is connected. Namely, when the inside lock button <b>6</b> is operated to lock the door, the drive force is transmitted to the lock lever <b>640</b> through the lock button link unit <b>642</b>, and the lock lever <b>640</b> rotates counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> and rotates the rotation shaft <b>635</b> counterclockwise. On the other hand, when the inside lock button <b>6</b> is operated to unlock the door, the drive force is transmitted to the lock lever <b>640</b> through the lock button link unit <b>642</b>, and the lock lever <b>640</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> and rotates the rotation shaft <b>635</b> clockwise. Thus, the drive force from the outside of the housing <b>10</b>, which operated the inside lock button <b>6</b>, is transmitted to the lock lever <b>640</b> through the lock button link unit <b>642</b> and inputted into the rotation shaft <b>635</b> serving as an input portion. The rotation shaft <b>635</b> in which the drive force from the outside of the housing <b>10</b> has been inputted switches the lock mechanism <b>600</b> between an unlocking state and a locking state.

The sector gear <b>650</b> is arranged so as to swing via a gear shaft <b>651</b> extending almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9A and 9B</figref>. The sector gear <b>650</b> includes a connect lever joint <b>652</b>, a state maintaining projection <b>653</b>, a driven gear <b>654</b>, and a panic lever contact portion <b>655</b>.

The connect lever joint <b>652</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> extends away from the center of the gear shaft <b>651</b>. In the connect lever joint <b>652</b>, a joint slot <b>656</b> is formed. In this joint slot <b>656</b>, the joint convex portion <b>636</b> formed on the connect lever <b>630</b> is inserted. Namely, counterclockwise swinging of the connect lever <b>630</b> makes the sector gear <b>650</b> to swing clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>, and on the other hand, clockwise swinging of the connect lever <b>630</b> makes the sector gear <b>650</b> to swing counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>.

The state maintaining projection <b>653</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> maintains the rotating position of the sector gear <b>650</b>. The state maintaining projection <b>653</b> extends almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body on the surface opposite the main case <b>2</b>. By nipping and holding this state maintaining projection <b>653</b> by a spring <b>657</b> attached to the main case <b>2</b>, the unlocking state (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>) or locking state (<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>) is maintained.

The driven gear <b>654</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> is formed into a fan shape centered on the gear shaft <b>651</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9A and 9B</figref>. The driven gear <b>654</b> has, on its outer circumferential surface, a pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b</i>, a first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and a second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d</i>. The pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b</i>, the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d </i>are provided at three different heights along the extending direction of the gear shaft <b>651</b>. The pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b </i>are provided on both sides of the driven gear <b>654</b>, and arranged at the most indoor side. The first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c </i>is located close to one outside tooth <b>654</b><i>a </i>between the pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b </i>at the middle position along the extending direction of the gear shaft <b>651</b>. The second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d </i>is situated between the other outside tooth <b>654</b><i>b </i>and the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and positioned at the most outdoor side.

The panic lever contact portion <b>655</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> is formed to be convex toward the indoor side from the vehicle rear side edge of the sector gear <b>650</b>.

The panic lever <b>660</b> joins the sector gear <b>650</b> and the link lever <b>40</b> to each other as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 9A and 9B</figref>. The panic lever <b>660</b> is rotatably attached to the gear shaft <b>651</b>. This panic lever <b>660</b> extends downward and away from the center of the gear shaft <b>651</b>, and provided with a joint convex portion <b>661</b> and a sector gear contact portion <b>662</b>.

The joint convex portion <b>661</b> of the panic lever <b>660</b> is a columnar portion projecting almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body from the surface on the indoor side of the front end of the panic lever <b>660</b>. This joint convex portion <b>661</b> is attached to the joint slot <b>40</b><i>e </i>of the link lever <b>40</b>.

The sector gear contact portion <b>662</b> of the panic lever <b>660</b> is a stepped portion formed on the vehicle rear side in the middle of the panic lever <b>660</b>. The sector gear contact portion <b>662</b> is allowed to come into contact and interlock with the panic lever contact portion <b>655</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b>.

Between the sector gear <b>650</b> and the panic lever <b>660</b>, a panic spring <b>663</b> interposes, and is pressed so that the sector gear contact portion <b>662</b> of the panic lever <b>660</b> comes into contact with the panic lever contact portion <b>655</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b>.

The worm wheel <b>670</b> is rotatably arranged as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10A and 10B</figref> via a worm shaft <b>671</b> extending almost horizontally along the indoor and outdoor direction of the vehicle main body above the sector gear <b>650</b>. To this worm wheel <b>670</b>, an intermittent gear <b>672</b> is fixed concentrically.

The intermittent gear <b>672</b> of the worm wheel <b>670</b> has a basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a</i>, a pair of first drive teeth <b>672</b><i>b </i>and a pair of second drive teeth <b>672</b><i>c</i>. The intermittent gear <b>672</b> forms a one-directional power transmission unit between the worm wheel and the pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b</i>, the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d </i>provided on the driven gear <b>654</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b>. Namely, the basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a</i>, the pair of first drive teeth <b>672</b><i>b</i>, and the pair of second drive teeth <b>672</b><i>c </i>of the intermittent gear <b>672</b> are provided at three different heights along the extending direction of the worm shaft <b>671</b> like the pair of outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b</i>, the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d </i>of the driven gear <b>654</b>, and the basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a </i>engages with only the outside teeth <b>654</b><i>a </i>and <b>654</b><i>b</i>, the first drive teeth <b>672</b><i>b </i>engage With only the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and the second drive teeth <b>672</b><i>c </i>engage with only the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d</i>. Between the worm wheel <b>670</b> and the main case <b>2</b>, a neutral return spring is provided for maintaining the state in that the basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a </i>of the intermittent gear <b>672</b> of the worm wheel <b>670</b> turns toward the center of axis of the gear shaft <b>651</b> (hereinafter, referred to as a neutral state) although this is not shown.

When the sector gear <b>650</b> is rotated clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> from the position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> (hereinafter, referred to as an unlocking position) to the position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> (hereinafter, referred to as a locking position), the teeth <b>654</b><i>a</i>, <b>654</b><i>b</i>, <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and <b>654</b><i>d </i>of the driven gear <b>654</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> do not engage with any of the teeth <b>672</b><i>a</i>, <b>672</b><i>b</i>, and <b>672</b><i>c </i>of the intermittent gear <b>672</b>, so that the worm wheel <b>670</b> cannot be rotated.

Likewise, when the sector gear <b>650</b> is rotated counterclockwise from the locking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> to the unlocking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> around the gear shaft <b>651</b>, the worm wheel <b>670</b> does not rotate.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 10A and 10B</figref>, the worm wheel <b>670</b> engages with a worm wheel <b>674</b> fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor <b>673</b>. The drive motor <b>673</b> is positioned highest inside the housing <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. Therefore, even when grease applied to the mechanisms arranged in the housing <b>10</b> liquefies, it does not reach the position of the drive motor <b>673</b>. Namely, entering of the grease to the inside of the drive motor <b>673</b> is prevented.

When the worm wheel <b>670</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the worm shaft <b>671</b> from the state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> by driving of the drive motor <b>673</b>, the basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a </i>engages with the outside tooth <b>654</b><i>a</i>, and then the first drive tooth <b>672</b><i>b </i>engages with the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>, and furthermore, the second drive tooth <b>672</b><i>b </i>engages with the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d</i>. Thereby, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref>, the sector gear <b>650</b> rotates clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> via the driven gear <b>654</b>. Furthermore, according to the clockwise rotation of the sector gear <b>650</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> rotates counterclockwise around the open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> via the rotor <b>40</b><i>aa </i>and shifts to the locking position.

After the link lever <b>40</b> shifts from the unlocking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> to the locking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> by the rotation of the worm wheel <b>670</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> cannot be rotated any more by the intermittent gear <b>672</b>, and the worm wheel <b>670</b> returns to the neutral state due to the elastic returning force of a neutral returning spring (not shown) without rotating the link lever <b>40</b>.

Likewise, when the worm wheel <b>670</b> is rotated clockwise around the worm shaft <b>671</b> from the state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref>, the basic tooth <b>672</b><i>a </i>engages with the outside tooth <b>654</b><i>b</i>, and then the second drive tooth <b>672</b><i>c </i>engages with the second passive tooth <b>654</b><i>d</i>, and furthermore, the first drive tooth <b>672</b><i>b </i>engages with the first passive tooth <b>654</b><i>c</i>. Thereby, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref>, the sector gear <b>650</b> rotates counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> via the driven gear <b>654</b>. Furthermore, according to the counterclockwise rotation of the sector gear <b>650</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> rotates clockwise around the open working end <b>30</b><i>b </i>of the open lever <b>30</b> via the rotor <b>40</b><i>aa </i>and shifts to the unlocking position.

After the link lever <b>40</b> shifts from the locking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref> to the unlocking position shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref> by the rotation of the worm wheel <b>670</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> cannot be rotated any more by the intermittent gear <b>672</b>, and the worm wheel <b>670</b> returns to the neutral state due to the elastic returning force of a neutral returning spring (not shown) without rotating the link lever <b>40</b>.

In the lock mechanism <b>600</b>, when it is in unlocked state, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>, the ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> is arranged below the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b>.

In this unlocked state, the outside handle <b>1</b> is operated to open the door, and the open lever <b>30</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the open lever shaft <b>31</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>. Thereby, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref>, the ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> presses and raises the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> according to the upward movement of the open working end <b>30</b><i>b</i>. As a result, the engagement between the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> is released, and it becomes possible to open the door D from the vehicle main body.

In the unlocked state, the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door, and the inner handle lever <b>50</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the inner lever shaft <b>51</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7A</figref>. Thereby, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref>, the one-motion link <b>56</b> rises to push and raise the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b>. As a result, the engagement between the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> is released, and it becomes possible to open the door D from the vehicle main body.

In the opened state of the door D, it is not possible that the door lock system is locked by operating only the inside lock button <b>6</b> to lock the door. This is because, when the door D is opened, that is, the latch <b>21</b> and the ratchet <b>22</b> is not in contact and engaged with each other, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6A</figref>, the working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> is adjacent to the lock preventer <b>40</b><i>d </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> and prevents the link lever <b>40</b> from swinging counterclockwise.

However, in the opened state of the door D, by operating the inside lock button <b>6</b> to lock the door while the outside handle <b>1</b> or the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door, the door lock system can be locked. This is because, even when the door D is opened, by the door opening operation on the outside handle <b>1</b> or the inside handle <b>5</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6B</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7B</figref>, the link lever <b>40</b> rises and cancels the adjacent relationship between the working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> and the lock preventer <b>40</b><i>d </i>of the link lever <b>40</b>, and the working end <b>25</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> does not block the counterclockwise swing of the link lever <b>40</b>.

In the opened state of the door D, when the inside lock button <b>6</b> is operated to lock the door while the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door, the one-motion projection <b>634</b> presses the one-motion lever <b>53</b> according to the rotation of the connect lever <b>630</b>, whereby the one-motion lever <b>53</b> rotates by using the one-motion lever joint hole <b>50</b><i>c </i>as a center of rotation against the pressing force of the one-motion spring <b>54</b>. Thereafter, when the door opening operation on the inside handle <b>5</b> is interrupted, while the door lock system maintains a locked state, the one-motion lever <b>53</b> rotates by using the one-motion lever joint hole <b>50</b><i>c </i>as a center of rotation due to the pressing force of the one-motion spring <b>54</b> and returns to the original position.

On the other hand, when the inside lock button <b>6</b> in an unlocking state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> is operated to open the door while the door D is closed, the connect lever <b>630</b> swings counterclockwise around the convex portion <b>201</b> according to the rotation of the lock lever <b>640</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>. Thereby, the sector gear <b>650</b> joined to the connect lever <b>630</b> via the joint convex portion <b>636</b> and the joint slot <b>656</b> swings clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>. When the sector gear <b>650</b> swings clockwise, the panic lever contact portion <b>655</b> of the sector gear <b>650</b> presses the sector gear contact portion <b>662</b> of the panic lever <b>660</b> and the panic lever <b>660</b> rotates clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>. Furthermore, according to the rotation of the panic lever <b>660</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> swings counterclockwise, and the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is turned into a locked state.

In this locked state, even when the outside handle <b>1</b> is operated to open the door and the open lever <b>30</b> is rotated clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>, the ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>of the link lever <b>40</b> and the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> are apart from each other, so that the ratchet driver <b>40</b><i>b </i>and the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>do not come into contact with each other, and the contact engagement between the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b> is not released. As a result, the door D is closed to the vehicle main body and the vehicle can be locked.

For switching from the unlocked state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref> to a locked state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref>, instead of the locking operation of the inside lock button <b>6</b>, it is also allowed that the worm wheel <b>670</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the worm shaft <b>671</b> by the drive motor <b>673</b> to rotate the sector gear <b>650</b> clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10B</figref>, or the key sub lever <b>620</b> is rotated counterclockwise around the convex portion <b>302</b> by the key operation on the key cylinder KC as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8B</figref>.

From the locked state, when the inside lock button <b>6</b> is unlock-operated, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>, the connect lever <b>630</b> swings clockwise according to the rotation of the lock lever <b>640</b>. Thereby, the sector gear <b>650</b> joined to the connect lever <b>630</b> via the joint convex portion <b>636</b> and the joint slot <b>656</b> swings counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>. When the sector gear <b>650</b> swings counterclockwise, the panic lever <b>660</b> pressed by the panic spring <b>663</b> rotates counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> by interlocking with the sector gear <b>650</b>. Furthermore, according to the rotation of the panic lever <b>660</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> swings clockwise, and the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is turned into an unlocked state.

In this unlocked state, when the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door, the locked state is switched to an unlocked state and the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> becomes effective, and the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> is transmitted to the ratchet <b>22</b>. Then, it becomes possible to open the door D.

A greater detailed description is given. In the locked state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11A</figref>, when the inside handle <b>5</b> is operated to open the door, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref>, the inner handle lever <b>50</b> swings counterclockwise around the inner lever shaft <b>51</b>. By the swing of the inner handle lever <b>50</b>, the one-motion lever <b>53</b> that rotates integrally with the inner handle lever <b>50</b> presses the one-motion projection <b>634</b> of the connect lever <b>630</b> and swings the connect lever <b>630</b> clockwise around the convex portion <b>201</b>. According to the swing of the connect lever <b>630</b>, the sector gear <b>650</b> swings counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b>, and the panic lever <b>660</b> pressed by the panic spring <b>663</b> rotates counterclockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> by interlocking with the sector gear <b>650</b>. According to the rotation of the panic lever <b>660</b>, the link lever <b>40</b> swings clockwise and switches the lock mechanism <b>600</b> to an unlocked state. Simultaneously, by the counterclockwise swing of the inner handle lever <b>50</b>, the one-motion link <b>56</b> presses the contact portion <b>25</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet lever <b>25</b> and releases the contact engagement between the hook <b>21</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>21</b> and the engaging portion <b>22</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>22</b>, and enables a door opening operation.

For switching from the locked state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9B</figref> to the unlocked state shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9A</figref>, instead of the unlocking operation of the inside lock button <b>6</b> or the operation of the inside handle <b>5</b>, it is also allowed that the worm wheel <b>670</b> is rotated clockwise around the worm shaft <b>671</b> by the drive motor <b>673</b> to rotate the sector gear <b>650</b> clockwise around the gear shaft <b>651</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10A</figref>, or the key sub lever <b>620</b> is rotated clockwise around the convex portion <b>302</b> by the key operation on the key cylinder KC as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8A</figref>.

In the door lock system, while the one-motion lever <b>53</b> attached to the inner handle lever <b>50</b> shifts the link lever <b>40</b> from the locking position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11A</figref>) to the unlocking position (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11B</figref>) by the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b>, the one-motion link <b>56</b> attached to the inner handle lever <b>50</b> transmits the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> to the ratchet lever <b>25</b>. This realizes a so-called one-motion function. The door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> is transmitted to the ratchet lever <b>25</b> through the one-motion link <b>56</b> regardless of the link lever <b>40</b>. Thereby, the timing of shifting the link lever <b>40</b> from the locking position to the unlocking position and the timing of transmitting the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> to the ratchet lever <b>25</b> by the one-motion link <b>56</b> can be arbitrarily set. As a result, even with the door lock system with a one-motion function, the lock releasing timing and the door opening timing can be set by considering the operational feeling.

While, the link lever <b>40</b> can be shifted from the locking position to the unlocking position by the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> without fail, the door opening operation can be transmitted to the ratchet lever <b>25</b> by the one-motion link <b>56</b> without fail. Thereby, the locked state of the lock mechanism <b>600</b> is released, and there is no possibility that the door opening operation of the inside handle <b>5</b> is not transmitted to the ratchet lever <b>25</b>.

Hereinafter, the key lever <b>610</b> in the door lock system is described in detail. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12A to 12E</figref> depict a key lever and a bearing socket.

The input shaft <b>611</b> of the key lever <b>610</b> is formed as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12A</figref> so that the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>is integrated with a rotation base <b>611</b><i>a </i>and extended. The rotation base <b>611</b><i>a </i>is formed into a columnar shape. On one end of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a</i>, a columnar shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>formed to be thinner than the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a </i>is integrally provided. The rotating concave portion <b>612</b> is formed on the other end of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a. </i>

The shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>has a concave groove <b>616</b>. The concave groove <b>616</b> is roughly shaped into a straight line that divides vertically the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>into two along the axial direction of the shaft <b>611</b><i>b</i>. This concave groove <b>616</b> also extends to a part of one end side of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a. </i>

A seizing member <b>617</b> is provided on the outer circumference of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a</i>. The seizing member <b>617</b> has a seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>that can enter the concave groove <b>616</b> so as to penetrate the concave groove <b>616</b> from one side opening to the other side opening. This seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>is cantilevered by being joined on its base end to the position of one side opening edge of the concave groove <b>616</b> continued from the bottom of the concave groove <b>616</b> via an elastic portion <b>617</b><i>b</i>. In the middle of the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a</i>, a contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>extends. The contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>is cantilevered by being joined on its base end to the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>via an elastic portion <b>617</b><i>d </i>harder and more flexible than the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>b </i>and extends aslant outward of the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a</i>. This contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>is arranged so that its free end extends toward the front end of the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>within the concave groove <b>616</b> when the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>enters the concave groove <b>616</b>.

The lever portion <b>613</b> is provided on the outer circumference of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a </i>so as to extend away from the center of the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a. </i>

The key lever <b>610</b> is rotatably supported so that the input shaft <b>611</b> is rotatable inside the housing <b>10</b> between the main case <b>2</b> and the sub case <b>3</b> by fitting the rotating concave portion <b>612</b> to the convex portion <b>302</b> formed on the sub case <b>3</b> and fitting the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>into a bearing socket <b>202</b> formed in the main case <b>2</b>. The convex portion <b>302</b> and the bearing socket <b>202</b> are provided at the lower side of the housing <b>10</b>, and the input shaft <b>611</b> is arranged below the housing <b>10</b>. The input shaft <b>611</b> is arranged at the lower side of the electrical parts including the switch <b>628</b>, the switch <b>637</b>, and the drive motor <b>673</b> provided inside the housing <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, at the bottom of the housing <b>10</b> provided with the input shaft <b>611</b>, a drain hole <b>100</b> is opened. The drain hole <b>100</b> communicates with the inside and the outside of the housing <b>10</b>, and is provided on the main case <b>2</b> in the first embodiment. The drain hole <b>100</b> may be provided on the sub case <b>3</b> side or may be formed across the main case <b>2</b> and the sub case <b>3</b> as long as it is opened at the bottom of the housing <b>10</b>.

The bearing socket <b>202</b> is formed so as to penetrate to the outside of the housing <b>10</b>. As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12A</figref>, the bearing socket <b>202</b> has an inner diameter that makes the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>of the input shaft <b>611</b> to be inserted through and rotatably supported by the bearing socket. This bearing socket <b>202</b> has a cylindrical unit <b>203</b> on the opening edge turned toward the inside of the housing <b>10</b>. The cylindrical unit <b>203</b> has an inner diameter that makes the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>of the input shaft <b>611</b> to be inserted through and supported by the cylindrical unit like the bearing socket <b>202</b>. In the cylindrical unit <b>203</b>, notched grooves <b>203</b><i>a </i>are formed. The notched grooves <b>203</b><i>a </i>are opposite each other on the edges turned inward of the housing <b>10</b>, and communicate with the concave groove <b>616</b> when the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>is inserted into the bearing socket <b>202</b>.

Communication between the concave groove <b>616</b> and the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a </i>is made when the input shaft <b>611</b> is at a predetermined rotating position. Herein, the predetermined rotating position of the input shaft <b>611</b> is described. The input shaft <b>611</b> rotates counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref> to lock the lock mechanism <b>600</b> when the key cylinder KC is operated to lock. On the other hand, the input shaft <b>611</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 8A and 8B</figref> to unlock the lock mechanism <b>600</b> when the key cylinder KC is operated to unlock. The key insertion hole of the key cylinder KC exposed to the outdoor side of the vehicle KC is positioned as predetermined and the direction of inserting the key into the key insertion hole is always fixed so as to make the key operation easy. The predetermined rotating position of the input shaft <b>611</b> corresponds to the predetermined position of the key insertion hole of the key cylinder KC, and is almost at the center of rotation of the rotating operation, which is a neutral position to make the rotating operation amounts of the key cylinder and the input shaft equal when the rotation of the key cylinder KC reaches the input shaft <b>611</b> by a key operation.

The bearing socket <b>202</b> has a seizing cylinder <b>204</b> on the opening edge turned outward of the housing <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref>. The seizing cylinder <b>204</b> extends in a cylindrical shape toward the outside of the housing <b>10</b>. In this seizing cylinder <b>204</b>, a pair of slit grooves are formed from the extending front end to the base end to form elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>that warp in the out-of-diameter direction of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b> between the slit grooves. The elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>are provided at two positions opposite each other in the out-of-diameter direction of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>. On the inner walls of the elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>on the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>, seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>are provided. The seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>have seizing surfaces <b>204</b><i>ba </i>formed flat toward the front end and the base end of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>.

In the bearing socket <b>202</b>, the key cylinder link unit <b>615</b> extending from the key cylinder KC provided on the door D is inserted from the outside of the housing <b>10</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>.

As shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref>, on the front end of the key cylinder link unit <b>615</b> to be inserted into the bearing socket <b>202</b>, an output shaft <b>618</b> is provided that transmits a rotating operation when the key cylinder KC is operated to lock or the key cylinder KC is operated to unlock to the input shaft <b>611</b> and the output shaft <b>618</b> is exposed to the surface.

The output shaft <b>618</b> is joined to the key cylinder KC, formed into a long rod shape, and has a long plate-shaped (for example, having a roughly straight sectional shape) that engages with the concave groove <b>616</b> of the shaft <b>611</b><i>b</i>. This output shaft <b>618</b> is installed in the outer cylinder <b>619</b>. Namely, the rotation of the key cylinder KC in response to a key operation is transmitted to the input shaft <b>611</b> by the rotation of the output shaft <b>618</b> inside the outer cylinder <b>619</b>. The front end of the outer cylinder <b>619</b> is formed with a slant portion gradually increasing in thickness toward the base end side, and on the outer circumference of the outer cylinder <b>619</b> on the base end side of the slant portion, seizing grooves <b>619</b><i>a </i>that fit the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>provided on the respective elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b> in the bearing socket <b>202</b> are provided. The seizing grooves <b>619</b><i>a </i>have inner diameters that make the seizing grooves surface-contact with the seizing surfaces <b>204</b><i>ba </i>of the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b</i>. The outer cylinder <b>619</b> is inserted through the seizing cylinder <b>204</b> to engage the seizing grooves <b>619</b><i>a </i>and the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>with each other, whereby the output shaft <b>618</b> is prevented from coming out of the bearing socket <b>202</b>, and the engagement of the front end of the output shaft <b>618</b> extending from the front end of the outer cylinder <b>619</b> with the concave groove <b>616</b> of the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>of the input shaft <b>611</b> is maintained.

The operation to engage the input shaft <b>611</b> and the output shaft <b>618</b> is described with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12E</figref>. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12D</figref> are sectional views cut along the concave groove <b>616</b> and the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a</i>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12E</figref> is a sectional view cut orthogonally to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref> through <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12D</figref>.

First, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12B</figref>, the input shaft <b>611</b> is inserted into the bearing socket <b>202</b>. To insert the input shaft <b>611</b> into the bearing socket <b>202</b>, the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>b </i>is bent so that the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>of the seizing member <b>617</b> enters inside the concave groove <b>616</b>. Then, in this state, the shaft <b>611</b><i>b </i>is inserted into the bearing socket <b>202</b>. The concave groove <b>616</b> is made to communicate with the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a </i>of the cylindrical unit <b>203</b> in the bearing socket <b>202</b> and the rotation base <b>611</b><i>a </i>is made to contact the edge of the cylindrical unit <b>203</b>. Thereby, the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>is positioned in both the concave groove <b>616</b> and the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a</i>, and it is inserted into the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a </i>while being inserted inside the concave groove <b>616</b>. As a result, the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>maintains the communication between the concave groove <b>616</b> and the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a</i>, so that the input shaft <b>611</b> is seized at the predetermined rotating position and the rotation thereof is restricted. In this state, the contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>elastically projects in the front end opening direction of the concave groove <b>616</b> from the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>via the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>d. </i>

Next, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12C</figref>, the output shaft <b>618</b> is inserted into the bearing socket <b>202</b> from the outside of the housing <b>10</b> through the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>. The front end of the output shaft <b>618</b> engages with the concave groove <b>616</b> of the input shaft <b>611</b> and pushes the contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>of the seizing member <b>617</b> into the bottom of the concave groove <b>616</b>. At this point, in the seizing member <b>617</b>, since the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>d </i>on the base end of the contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>is harder than the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>b </i>on the base end of the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a</i>, only the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>b </i>warps and the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>is pushed into the bottom of the concave groove <b>616</b>. As a result, the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>is pushed out of the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a </i>and releases the seizing of the input shaft <b>611</b> and allows the input shaft to rotate. The outer cylinder <b>619</b> internally having the output shaft <b>618</b> is inserted into the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>, and at this point, the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>come into contact with the slant portion of the front end of the outer cylinder <b>619</b>, whereby the elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>having the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>warp in the out-of-diameter direction of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b>. In the state of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12C</figref>, the output shaft <b>618</b> has already engaged with the concave groove <b>616</b> of the input shaft <b>611</b>, so that the input shaft <b>611</b> does not rotate as long as rotation is not transmitted from the output shaft <b>618</b>.

Last, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12D</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12E</figref>, the output shaft <b>618</b> is further inserted to the bottom of the concave groove <b>616</b>. At this point, the elastic pieces <b>204</b><i>a </i>of the seizing cylinder <b>204</b> return to their original positions by their own elasticity, and the seizing groves <b>619</b><i>a </i>formed in the outer cylinder <b>619</b> and the seizing projections <b>204</b><i>b </i>provided on the seizing cylinder <b>204</b> engage with each other. Thereby, the output shaft <b>618</b> is prevented from coming out of the bearing socket <b>202</b>, and the engagement of the output shaft <b>618</b> with the concave groove <b>616</b> of the input shaft <b>611</b> is maintained. At this point, the contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>of the seizing member <b>617</b> is further pushed into the bottom side of the concave groove <b>616</b> by the front end of the output shaft <b>618</b>. Since the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>has reached the bottom of the concave groove <b>616</b>, the elastic portion <b>617</b><i>d </i>of the contact piece <b>617</b><i>c </i>warps and further pushes the seizing piece <b>617</b><i>a </i>into the concave groove <b>616</b>.

The key lever <b>610</b> rotates only when the key cylinder KC is key-operated, and switches the lock mechanism <b>600</b> to a locked state or an unlocked state. In detail, the rotation of the key lever <b>610</b> is transmitted to the key sub lever <b>620</b> through the key link <b>627</b> to rotate the connect lever <b>630</b> around the convex portion <b>302</b>. Furthermore, the rotation of the key lever <b>610</b> is transmitted to the key sub lever <b>620</b> through the key link <b>627</b> to rotate the lock lever <b>640</b> around the rotation shaft <b>635</b> and switches the inside lock button <b>6</b> to a locked state or an unlocked state via the lock button link unit <b>642</b>. However, the locking or unlocking operation of the inside lock button <b>6</b> and the rotation of the sector gear <b>650</b> are not transmitted to the key lever <b>610</b>. To realize this method of transmission of operations, in this door lock system, an idling region is provided between the key sub lever <b>620</b> and the connect lever <b>630</b>.

The key lever <b>610</b> seizes the input shaft <b>611</b> at a predetermined rotating position (neutral position) by the positioning unit including the concave groove <b>616</b>, the notched groove <b>203</b><i>a</i>, and the seizing member <b>617</b> until the output shaft <b>618</b> and the input shaft <b>611</b> engage with each other, and allows the input shaft <b>611</b> to rotate when the output shaft <b>618</b> and the input shaft <b>611</b> engage with each other. Namely, it becomes possible to prevent that the input shaft <b>611</b> rotates within the idling region before the output shaft <b>618</b> engages with the input shaft <b>611</b>. As a result, when the rotation of the key cylinder KC in response to an external key operation is transmitted to the lock mechanism <b>600</b> as a rotating drive force, the rotation range of the input shaft <b>611</b> into the unlocking state or the locking state is prevented from shifting.

Therefore, in the door lock system, an input portion that inputs a drive force from the outside of the housing <b>10</b> to switch the lock mechanism <b>600</b> between an unlocked state and a locked state is arranged on the lower side of the housing <b>10</b>. The input portion is the input shaft <b>611</b> of the key lever <b>610</b>, which inputs a rotating drive force from the key cylinder KC in response to a key operation. Namely, by arranging the input shaft <b>611</b> at the lower side of the housing <b>10</b>, even when rain water adhering to the key cylinder KC or a window glass provided within the door D reaches the input shaft <b>611</b> through the key cylinder link unit <b>615</b>, the rain water does not reach the mechanisms inside the housing <b>10</b>. As a result, the mechanisms housed inside the housing <b>10</b> are prevented from malfunctioning. Particularly, since the input shaft <b>611</b> is arranged below the electrical parts, the electrical parts are prevented from malfunctioning. Furthermore, a drain hole <b>100</b> is formed on the lower portion of the housing <b>10</b>, so that rain water entering inside the housing <b>10</b> is drained out of the housing <b>10</b>.

An input portion that inputs a drive force from the outside of the housing <b>10</b> to switch the lock mechanism <b>600</b> between an unlocked state and a locked state also includes the rotation shaft <b>635</b> which fixes the lock lever <b>640</b> that inputs a drive force in response to an operation on the inside lock button <b>6</b>. In the first embodiment, this rotation shaft <b>635</b> is arranged at a comparatively lower position of the housing <b>10</b> below the electrical parts provided inside the housing <b>10</b>. Namely, by arranging the rotation shaft <b>635</b> at a lower position of the housing <b>10</b>, even when rain water adhering to a window glass provided within the door D reaches the rotation shaft <b>635</b> through the lock button link unit <b>642</b>, the rain water is prevented from reaching the mechanisms inside the housing <b>10</b>. As a result, the mechanisms housed inside the housing <b>10</b> are prevented from malfunctioning. Particularly, since the rotation shaft <b>635</b> is arranged below the electrical parts, the electrical parts are prevented from malfunctioning. Furthermore, a drain hole <b>100</b> is provided at a lower portion of the housing <b>10</b>, rain water entering inside the housing <b>10</b> is drained out of the housing <b>10</b>.

A door lock system according to a second embodiment of the present invention explained with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13 to 16</figref>. This door lock system is provided in a side door (hereinafter, referred to as a door) of the front hinge nearest to the driver's seat (with a right-hand steering wheel). This door lock system is attached inside the door by integrating a lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> that houses a lock mechanism and an actuator mechanism and a latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> that houses a latch mechanism <b>730</b>.

The lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> includes a main case <b>710</b>A and a sub case <b>710</b>B as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>. The main case <b>710</b>A and sub case <b>710</b>B are formed from a synthetic resin material, and are joined and then fastened to each other by a fastening unit such as a screw (not shown). The main case <b>710</b>A is positioned on the indoor side in the door lock system, and the sub case <b>710</b>B is positioned on the outdoor side of the door. The lock mechanism and the actuator mechanism are housed in the space between the main case <b>710</b>A and the sub case <b>710</b>B extending along the door front and rear direction. A packing member (not shown) is provided at the joint portion between the main case <b>710</b>A and the sub case <b>710</b>B to obtain watertightness and dust resistance.

The lock mechanism can be switched between an unlocked state and a locked state by a key operation on the key cylinder provided on the outdoor side of the door or by an operation on the inside lock button provided on the indoor side of the door although these are not shown. This lock mechanism enables a door opening operation of the outside handle in an unlocked state and transmits the operation to the latch mechanism <b>730</b>, and on the other hand, in a locked state, the lock mechanism disables the door opening operation of the outside handle and does not transmit the operation to the latch mechanism <b>730</b>.

A seizing cylinder <b>712</b> is provided on the outdoor side of the door outside the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the seizing cylinder <b>712</b> is extended in which the output shaft (not shown) that transmits the key operation on the key cylinder to the lock mechanism is inserted. On the indoor side of the door outside the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, an inside lock lever <b>713</b> is provided which swings in response to an operation on the inside lock button. On the outdoor side of the door outside the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, an outside handle lever <b>714</b> is provided and extended which swings in response to a door opening operation on the outside handle. On the indoor side of the door outside the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, an inside handle lever <b>715</b> is provided and extended which swings in response to a door opening operation on the inside handle (not shown).

The actuator mechanism switches the lock mechanism between an unlocked state and a locked state in response to electrical signals generated by operations on a remote controller, a switch, or the like although this is not shown. This actuator mechanism includes a drive motor, a motor link unit such as a gear that transmits the driving of the drive motor to the lock mechanism, and a detection unit that detects an unlocked state and a locked state. The actuator mechanism further includes a connector <b>716</b> for supplying electrical power to the drive motor from the outside of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, inputting electrical signals, or outputting electrical signals to the outside of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> from the detection unit. This connector <b>716</b> is exposed to the outside of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> via an opening extended portion <b>710</b>C extending to the indoor side of the door of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>. To the connector <b>716</b>, an external connector (not shown) for supplying electrical power and inputting and outputting electrical signals is connected.

On the portion of the door front side of the sub case <b>710</b>B near the opening extended portion <b>710</b>C, a fixing member <b>717</b> is provided. The fixing member <b>717</b> is formed of a steel plate extending to the door front side, in which a female screw hole <b>717</b>A is formed.

On the door rear side of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, a latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> extending to the indoor side of the door is provided and shaped into almost an L when viewed from above.

The latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> is provided across the main case <b>710</b>A and the sub case <b>710</b>B on the door rear side of the door lock system, and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> has a casing <b>718</b>A extending to the outdoor side of the door from the end of the door rear side of the sub case <b>710</b>B. On the upper and lower sides and the outdoor side of this casing <b>718</b>A, a circumferential wall <b>718</b>B extending to the door rear side is formed so as to continue to the joint edge on the door rear side between the main case <b>710</b>A and the sub case <b>710</b>B. Therefore, the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B opens the casing <b>718</b>A to the door rear side.

On three points of the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B, claws <b>718</b>Ba, <b>718</b>Bb, and <b>718</b>Bc rising toward the inside of the casing <b>718</b>A are provided. These claws <b>718</b>Ba, <b>718</b>Bb, and <b>718</b>Bc prevent a signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>described later from bulging out when the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is attached to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>.

The latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> has, on the main case <b>710</b>A side, a circumferential wall <b>718</b>B′ that continues from the joint edge on the door rear side between the main case <b>710</b>A and the sub case <b>710</b>B and encloses a part of the indoor side, and has an opening <b>718</b>C opened to the indoor side. Furthermore, the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> has attaching holes <b>718</b>Aa and <b>718</b>Da for the casing <b>718</b>A and the seizing piece <b>718</b>D extending from the opening edge of the opening <b>718</b>C.

On the deep side (door front side) of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>, the outside handle lever <b>714</b> is provided. The outside handle lever <b>714</b> is supported so as to swing around the shaft <b>714</b>A, and the end extending to the outside of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> is pressed in the non-operating direction (upward in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>) by a spring <b>714</b>B wound around the shaft <b>714</b>A. The base end of the shaft <b>714</b>A is fixed to the deep side of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>, and a front end <b>714</b>Aa that extends to the door rear side as a free end. On the front end <b>714</b>Aa of the shaft <b>714</b>A, a seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab formed to be thinner than the outer diameter of the shaft <b>714</b>A is provided and extended to the door rear side.

The latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is attached to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>, and the right side surface is formed slightly smaller than the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B of the casing <b>718</b>A so as to separate from the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B for wiring the signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>described later between the casing <b>718</b>A of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>.

The latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> includes, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>, a base plate <b>721</b>, a latch case <b>722</b>, and a cover plate <b>723</b>. The base plate <b>721</b> is formed of a steel plate and forms the door front side of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>. In the base plate <b>721</b>, attaching screw holes <b>721</b>Ca and <b>721</b>Cb to which attaching screws <b>725</b> are screwed to attach the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> are opened toward the front side and the indoor side of the door. In the base plate <b>721</b>, fixing screw holes <b>721</b>D to which fixing screws (not shown) to attach the door lock system to the door are screwed are also formed at three points.

The latch case <b>722</b> is formed from a synthetic resin material, and provided on the door rear side of the base plate <b>721</b>. On the door front side of the latch case <b>722</b>, a concave portion <b>722</b>A is provided in which the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab extending on the front end <b>714</b>Aa of the shaft <b>714</b>A of the outside handle lever <b>714</b> is inserted. In the latch case <b>722</b>, through holes <b>722</b>D through which fixing screws for attaching the door lock system to the door are inserted are provided at three points.

The cover plate <b>723</b> is formed of a steel plate and forms the door rear side of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>. The cover plate <b>723</b> is roughly formed into an L shape when viewed from above by a rear side plate <b>723</b>A that extends to the outdoor side of the door and fits the door rear side of the base plate <b>721</b> and an indoor side plate <b>723</b>B that extends to the door front side and fits the indoor side of the base plate <b>721</b>. In the cover plate <b>723</b>, a notched groove <b>723</b>C is formed which extends almost horizontally across the indoor side plate <b>723</b>B and the rear side plate <b>723</b>A from the indoor side to the outdoor side at the almost middle position in a vertical direction of the cover plate.

In the rear side plate <b>723</b>A of the cover plate <b>723</b>, fixing insertion holes <b>723</b>D in which fixing screws for attaching the door lock system to the door are formed at three points. The fixing insertion holes <b>723</b>D communicate with the through holes <b>722</b>D of the latch case <b>722</b> and the fixing screw holes <b>721</b>D of the base plate <b>721</b>. In the indoor side plate <b>723</b>B of the cover plate <b>723</b>, an attaching insertion hole <b>723</b>E is formed in which an attaching screw <b>725</b> for attaching the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> is formed. This attaching insertion hole <b>723</b>E communicates with the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Cb of the base plate <b>721</b> by leaving a predetermined space as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>.

In the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>, with respect to the upper and lower sides and the door rear side, the outer form of the upper and lower sides and the door rear side of the latch case <b>722</b> forms the outer form of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>, and with respect to the indoor side, a part of the latch case <b>722</b> and the indoor side plate <b>723</b>B of the cover plate <b>723</b> form the outer form of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>. Furthermore, with respect to the door front side, the outer form of the door front side of the base plate <b>721</b> forms the outer form of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>.

The latch mechanism <b>730</b> is housed in the latch case <b>722</b>. The latch mechanism <b>730</b> is for engaging and retaining the striker S provided on the vehicle main body side of a four-wheeled vehicle like a conventional one, and includes a latch <b>731</b> and a ratchet <b>732</b> as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref>.

The latch <b>731</b> is rotatably arranged higher than the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> via a latch shaft <b>733</b> extending almost horizontally along the front and rear direction of the vehicle main body from the base plate <b>721</b>, and includes an engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a</i>, a hook <b>731</b><i>b</i>, and a seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c. </i>

The engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>is formed toward the latch shaft <b>733</b> from the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>731</b> so as to have a width that allows it to house the striker S.

The hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>is positioned at the more indoor side than the engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>when the engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>is opened downward. This hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>stops at a position (opening position) at which it opens the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> when the latch <b>731</b> is rotated clockwise as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, and stops at a position (full-latching position) at which it crosses the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> when the latch <b>731</b> is rotated counterclockwise.

The seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>is positioned at the more outdoor side than the engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>when the engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>is opened downward. This seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>crosses the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> and stops while inclining upward gradually toward the deep side (outdoor side) of the notched groove <b>723</b>C when the latch <b>731</b> is rotated clockwise as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>. Between the latch <b>731</b> and the latch case <b>722</b>, a latch spring (not shown) is provided that always presses the latch <b>731</b> clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref>.

The ratchet <b>732</b> is rotatably arranged at a position more indoors than the latch shaft <b>733</b> and lower than the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the base plate <b>721</b> via a ratchet shaft <b>734</b> extending almost horizontally along the front and rear direction of the vehicle main body from the base plate <b>721</b>, and includes an engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>and an acting portion <b>732</b><i>b. </i>

The engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>extends toward the outdoor side and away from the center of the ratchet shaft <b>734</b>, and is capable of engaging with, via its projecting end face, the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>and the seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>731</b> when the ratchet <b>732</b> rotates counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A to 5C</figref>.

The acting portion <b>732</b><i>b </i>extends toward the indoor side and away from the center of the ratchet shaft <b>734</b>. This ratchet <b>732</b> has a ratchet lever <b>735</b> that rotates around the center of axis of the ratchet shaft <b>734</b> integrally with the ratchet <b>732</b>, at a position on the vehicle front side. The ratchet lever <b>735</b> is joined to the ratchet <b>732</b> by a joint pin <b>736</b>. Between the ratchet <b>732</b> and the latch case <b>722</b>, a ratchet spring (not shown) is provided that always presses the ratchet <b>732</b> counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref>.

On the upper portion of the latch <b>731</b>, a courtesy switch <b>737</b> that detects the position of the latch <b>731</b> is provided. The armature of the courtesy switch <b>737</b> comes into abrasive contact with a cam surface <b>731</b><i>d </i>formed on the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>731</b> and separates from the cam surface <b>731</b><i>d </i>of the latch <b>731</b> to detect the latch position of the latch <b>731</b>. Therefore, when a door opening operation is carried out, in the process of turning from a full-latching state to a half-latching state (immediately before turning into a half-latching state), the courtesy switch <b>737</b> is turned on, and when a door closing operation is carried out, the courtesy switch <b>737</b> is turned off in the process of turning from a half-latching state to a full-latching state (immediately before turning into a full-latching state). When the latch <b>731</b> is out of the full-latching position (when it is at an opening position or half-latching position), the indoor lamp (not shown) or the like of the vehicle is turned on.

The signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>connected to the courtesy switch <b>737</b> extends from the inside of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and is nipped and held between the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and the lock mechanism housing. The signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>extends from the inside of the latch case <b>722</b> and is wired so as to be nipped and held between the latch case <b>722</b> and the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B, and pressed by the claws <b>718</b>Ba, <b>718</b>Bb, and <b>718</b>Bc so as not to bulge out between the latch case <b>722</b> and the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B.

In the latch mechanism <b>730</b>, when the door is opened from the vehicle main body, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, the latch <b>731</b> is arranged at an opening position and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned on. When the door is operated to close from this state, the striker S provided on the vehicle main body side enters the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> and the striker S eventually comes into contact with the seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>731</b>. As a result, the latch <b>731</b> rotates counterclockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against an elastic force of a latch spring (not shown). During this rotation, the projecting end face of the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b> comes into abrasive contact with the outer circumferential surface of the latch <b>731</b> against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown), and rotates around the center of axis of the ratchet shaft <b>734</b> according to the outer circumferential form of the latch <b>731</b>.

When the door is further operated to close from this state, since the amount of the striker S entering the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> gradually increases, the latch <b>731</b> further rotates counterclockwise, and as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5B</figref>, the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b> reaches the engaging groove <b>731</b><i>a </i>of the latch <b>731</b>. In this state, the seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>of the latch <b>731</b> comes into contact with the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b>, so that the clockwise rotation of the latch <b>731</b> is blocked against the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). In addition, since the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> is arranged across the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>, the movement of the striker S to come out of the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>, that is, the opening operation of the door with respect to the vehicle main body is prevented (half-latching state).

When the door D is further operated to close from the half-latching state, due to the striker S entering the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>, the latch <b>731</b> further rotates counterclockwise via the seizing portion <b>731</b><i>c </i>and the striker S reaches the deep side (outdoor side) of the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>. During this time, the ratchet <b>732</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown) due to contact of the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> with the upper surface of the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a</i>, and starts rotating counterclockwise due to the elastic returning force of the ratchet spring (not shown) immediately when the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> passes over. As a result, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5C</figref>, since the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> comes into contact with the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b>, the clockwise rotation of the latch <b>731</b> is blocked against the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). In this state, the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> is also arranged across the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>, the movement of the striker S to come out of the deep side (outdoor side) of the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> is prevented by the hook <b>731</b><i>b</i>, and as a result, the door closed state to the vehicle main body is maintained (full-latching state), and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned off.

From the full-latching state, when the acting portion <b>732</b><i>b </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b> or the ratchet lever <b>735</b> is rotated clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> against the elastic force of the ratchet spring (not shown), the contact engagement between the hook <b>731</b><i>b </i>of the latch <b>731</b> and the engaging portion <b>732</b><i>a </i>of the ratchet <b>732</b> is released, and the latch <b>731</b> rotates clockwise in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 5A to 5C</figref> due to the elastic returning force of the latch spring (not shown). As a result, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5A</figref>, the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b> is opened, the striker S becomes movable in the direction of coming out of the notched groove <b>723</b>C of the cover plate <b>723</b>, the door becomes openable from the vehicle main body, and the indoor lamp of the vehicle is turned on.

In the door lock system according to the second embodiment, the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> are assembled and integrated with each other. In detail, the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is moved from the door rear side to the door front side and attached to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> provided in the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>. At this point, the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab on the front end <b>714</b>Aa of the shaft <b>714</b>A in the outside handle lever <b>714</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> is inserted into and fitted to the concave portion <b>722</b>A of the latch case <b>722</b> in the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>. Then, the base plate <b>721</b> (surface with attaching holes <b>721</b>Ca) of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> comes into contact with the casing <b>718</b>A of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> and the movement of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the door front side stops. Thereby, the positions of the open lever (not shown) provided inside the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the ratchet lever <b>735</b> provided on the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> side are fitted to each other. The open lever (not shown) interlocks when either one of the outside handle lever <b>714</b> or the inside handle lever <b>715</b> is operated, and the ratchet lever <b>735</b> is operated by this open lever (not shown). Namely, by inserting and fitting the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A to the concave portion <b>722</b>A, the positions of the latch mechanism <b>730</b> and the lock mechanism are fitted to each other. Thus, the concave portion <b>722</b>A and the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A serve as a positioning unit that fits the positions of the latch mechanism <b>730</b> and the lock mechanism to each other.

Then, when the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A is inserted and fitted to the concave portion <b>722</b>A and the base plate <b>721</b> (surface with attaching holes <b>721</b>Ca) of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> comes into contact with the casing <b>718</b>A of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> and stops the movement of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the door front side, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, the latch case <b>722</b> in the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is fitted into the casing <b>718</b>A of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> so that the latch case is enclosed by the circumferential walls <b>718</b>B and <b>718</b>B′ of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>. The latch case is fitted to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> so that a part of the latch case <b>722</b> in the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and the indoor side plate <b>723</b>B of the cover plate <b>723</b> close the opening <b>718</b>C of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>. The base plate <b>721</b> (portion with the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Cb) and the cover plate <b>723</b> (portion with the attaching insertion hole <b>723</b>E) sandwich the seizing piece <b>718</b>D (portion with the attaching hole <b>718</b>Da) on the opening edge of the opening <b>718</b>C. Thereby, movements of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the upper side, the lower side, the outdoor side, and the indoor side are restricted by the circumferential walls <b>718</b>B and <b>718</b>B′ and the seizing piece <b>718</b>D. Namely, with respect to the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> (the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>), movements of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> in directions in which the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A comes out of the concave portion <b>722</b>A other than the extending direction of the shaft <b>714</b>A are restricted. Thus, the outer form of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and the circumferential walls <b>718</b>B and <b>718</b>B′, and the seizing piece <b>718</b>D of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> serve as a restricting unit that restricts relative movements of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> in directions other than the extending direction of the shaft <b>714</b>A when the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A is inserted and fitted to the concave portion <b>722</b>A.

When the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A is inserted and fitted to the concave portion <b>722</b>A and the base plate <b>721</b> (surface with the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Ca) of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> comes into contact with the casing <b>718</b>A of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> and stops the movement of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> to the door front side, the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Ca formed in the base plate <b>721</b> of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> communicate with the attaching hole <b>718</b>Aa formed in the casing <b>718</b>A. The attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Cb communicates with an attaching hole <b>718</b>Da formed in the seizing piece <b>718</b>D by sandwiching the seizing piece <b>718</b>D (portion with the attaching hole <b>718</b>Da) on the opening edge of the opening <b>718</b>C between the base plate (portion with the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Cb) and the cover plate <b>723</b> (portion with the attaching insertion hole <b>723</b>E).

The signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>connected to the courtesy switch <b>737</b> is wired to be nipped and held between the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> (latch case <b>722</b>) and the circumferential wall <b>718</b>B of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>. Namely, the signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>is laid along the right side surface of the latch case <b>722</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is attached to the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>, Whereby the signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>is nipped and held between the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>.

Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>, the attaching screws <b>725</b> are inserted from the attaching holes <b>718</b>Aa and <b>718</b>Da and screwed into the attaching screw holes <b>721</b>Ca and <b>721</b>Cb, whereby a door lock system in which the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> are assembled and integrated with each other is obtained.

Thereafter, the door lock system is fixed to the door. In the surface of the rear side of the door to which the door lock system is fixed, a notched hole opened along the circumference of the notched groove <b>723</b>C formed in the cover plate <b>723</b> of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and bolt receiving holes opened according to the fixing insertion holes <b>723</b>D are formed although these are not shown. In the surface of the indoor side of the door, an opening hole opened through the opening extended portion <b>710</b>C provided on the main case <b>710</b>A and a bolt receiving hole opened according to the female screw hole <b>717</b>A formed in the fixing member <b>717</b> are formed although these are not shown. Then, the door lock system is arranged inside the door, fixing screws (not shown) are inserted from the outside of the bolt receiving hole, inserted through the fixing insertion holes <b>723</b>D, and screwed into the fixing screw holes <b>721</b>D. Thereby, the door lock system is fixed to the open end of the door on the door rear side via the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> while the notched groove <b>723</b>C matches the notched hole. Furthermore, a bolt (not shown) is inserted from the outside of the bolt receiving holes and screwed into the female screw hole <b>717</b>A of the fixing member <b>717</b>. Thereby, the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> side of the door lock system is fixed to the door while the opening extended portion <b>710</b>C projects from the opening hole.

When the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> are assembled together, the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A is fitted to the concave portion <b>722</b>A to fit the positions of the latch mechanism and the lock mechanism, and then the outer form of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> is fitted to the inside of the circumferential walls <b>718</b>B and <b>718</b>B′ of the latch mechanism attaching portion <b>718</b>. Furthermore, the base plate <b>721</b> (portion with the attaching screw hole <b>721</b>Cb) and the cover plate <b>723</b> (portion with the attaching insertion hole <b>723</b>E) are put therein. Thereby, relative movements of the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b> and the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> in directions other than the extending direction of the shaft <b>714</b>A are restricted. As a result, when the latch mechanism and the lock mechanism are assembled together, the assembling work can be carried out efficiently.

The signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>connected to the courtesy switch <b>737</b> that comes into abrasive contact with the cam surface <b>731</b><i>d </i>formed on the latch to detect the latch position is extended from the inside of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and nipped and held between the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b> and the lock mechanism housing <b>710</b>, whereby the signal cable <b>737</b><i>a </i>can be wired neatly and the wiring work becomes easy.

In the door lock system according to the second embodiment, the positioning unit includes the seizing portion <b>714</b>Ab of the shaft <b>714</b>A in the outside handle lever <b>14</b> and the concave portion <b>22</b>A of the latch mechanism housing <b>720</b>, however, the shaft may support another lever or may not be a shaft supporting a lever.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims are not to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying all modifications and alternative constructions that may occur to one skilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein set forth.